Insulation covering



se t.10,'194o-. DAY 2,214,294

INSULATION covmune Filed Jul 3, 19:57

illll a INVENTOR;

A TTORNEYS.

Patented Sept. 10, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE INSULATION COVERING Charles L. Day, Corning, N. Y., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Owens-Corning Fiberglas C'orporation, a corporation of Delaware Application July 3, 1937,Serial No. 151,960

lClaim. (01454-44) My invention features the use of an external. member of relatively low thermal conductivity 15 and relatively high mechanical strength with an internal member of a soft springy nature and extremely low thermal conductivity.

A considerable number of fibrous insulating materials are now in common use which have a low coefficient of thermal conductivity. These include the various organic fibres such as cellulose and hair and the inorganic fibres such as asbestos, mineral wool and glass wool. Each of these materials present certain problems of ap- 25 plication due to the high compressibility and low mechanical strength of a loosely associated group of fibres. This is particularly true when it is desired to apply such fibres to the exterior of such bodies as pipes, storage tanks and thelike;

30 I have found it advantageous to make use of a self-supporting casing surrounding the body to be insulated and spaced therefrom within which the fibrous insulation may be packed to the desired density.

35 a In the accompanying figure, I have illustrated my invention as applied to a hot water storage tank commonly known as a range boiler. In this assembly, the'boiler II is supported on a base 12 in the usual manner. A flange l3 supports the 40 casing l4 and closes the lower end thereof to rev tain the fibrous insulation 15 therein. A cover l6 closes the top of the casing and the edges thereof may be sealed with an adhesive tape I] as is the joint between the abutting edges of the casing I4.

45 Straps l8 may be provided to maintain the casing in position if desired.

Due to the emphasis which is now being placed on the attractive appearance of all units of household equipment, it is essential that the ex- 50 ternal covering of such a composite insulation as I have disclosed be capable of taking an attractive finish which will harmonize with its surroundings. I have accordingly found it especially advantageous to form my outer casing I4 and 55 cover l6 from linoleum or the felt base printed material having similar characteristics. Such a material has a fair degree of mechanical strength, sufilcient to make it self-supporting and resistant to impact, yet is sufficiently flexible to be bent about objects of different diameters. Furthermore linoleum can be finished in an attractive manner and, since the pigments are included throughout the body of the material, such a finish 'is permanent and does not chip or scale due to impact or temperature changes.

From an installation standpoint, linoleum 10 makes an ideal casing material. Although the material is sufliciently strong to be self-supporting and retain the insulation, it may be easily cut to shape and pierced by small metal staples,

which may be substituted as a fastening device for the adhesive tapes and metal straps shown in the drawing. The surface of the material takes adhesives readily and forms a durable bond therewith. From an acoustical standpoint, linoleum is very satisfactory since even a thin layer will give off a dull solid sound on impact.

Since the casing which I have disclosed is selfsupporting, it may be installed independently and the fibrous insulation subsequently introduced between it and the body to be insulated. Also the insulating material may be formed into a bat and attached to the casing for simultaneous installation or may be formed into a blanket and wrapped around the body before the casing is installed. In any of these three systems of installation both the linoleum and fibrous insulation may be shipped in sheets of considerable area and cut to size according to the requirements of the specific job.

While my invention contemplates the use of a linoleum casing with any form of bulk fibrous insulation, I have found that best results are obtained when glass wool is utilized. The high resilience of this material insures that it will remain in position if but slightly compressed whether it be attached to the casing or separately installed. Thus uniform insulation is insured indefinitely although the insulated object be subject to extreme conditions of shock and vibration.

While I have described a preferred embodiment of my invention, it is understood that modification is to be permitted within the scope of the appended claim.

I claim:

As an article of manufacture, an insulating covering for hot bodies consisting of an external self-supporting casing of linoleum and a lining of fibrous insulation of low mechanical strength, said fibrous insulation consisting of glass wool.

' CHARLES L. DAY. 

